AGROBIOLOGY

About the programmeLanguage: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September (no winter intake)

Introduction

Climate change and population growth pose a huge, multifaceted, worldwide challenge to agricultural production. Food production needs to be increased in scale and efficiency, while at the same time animal welfare, the environment and natural resources need to be protected. A degree in agrobiology will equip you to play a part in finding solutions to these problems.

Sustainable production of animals and plants

and tailor their degree with elective courses on top of the mandatory courses of their track. Finally the master’s thesis can be completed either in a university research context or a company R&D environment. The MSc in Agrobiology builds on solid, biological knowledge of sustainable animal and plant production, set in the perspectives of health, welfare, product quality, and environmental impact. Graduates will be well equipped to work with both producers and end-users in agricultural production, and to communicate effectively about their field in the public arena.

An international degree

The international character of the challenges facing agricultural production and the science underpinning the MSc in Agrobiology make the international perspective an intrinsic part of this degree and its learning environment. The programme hosts international students from all over the world, and many students take advantage of the opportunity to study outside Denmark for a semester at one of our partner universities or as part of our double-degree programme in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems, www.eur-organic.eu. The double-degree status of this programme means that students receive both a master’s degree from Aarhus University and a master’s degree from the partner university at which they choose to complete the rest of the degree. Read more about this programme on its individual programme page.

Career profile

Students on the programme have a strong basis within their track, combined with an individual profile through choice elective subjects. This creates very flexible career opportunities in the agricultural and food sector, both nationally and internationally. Typical job opportunities will be in consulting services for primary production, in agriculture and food-related industries, in teaching and research or in public administration and bodies such as the EU.

Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University

The field of Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University belongs to the elite among agricultural science institutions worldwide and carries out cutting edge research. The core areas of research are: Climate and natural resources, environment and bioenergy, organic farming, food quality, farm animal production and plant production. Sustainability is a fundamental principle. The goal is to seek solutions that contribute to environmentally and economically sustainable development of the agricultural and food industries.

Agricultural Sciences in the rankings

Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University ranks ninth in the 2016 US News Best Global Universities Ranking, and tenth in the 2016 National Taiwan University Ranking. Agri­culture and Forestry at AU is ranked between 51 and 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016.

Read, print and be inspired

Admission requirements

The following Bachelor's degrees qualify students for admission to the Master's degree programme in Agrobiology:

A Bachelor of Science degree in Agrobiology from Aarhus University

A Bachelor of Science degree from University of Copenhagen in Animal Science or Veterinary Science (to the specializations in Animal Science; Organic Agriculture and Animal Science; Double-degree in Animal Nutrition; Double-degree in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems).

A Bachelor of Science degree in Naturressourcer from University of Copenhagen (to the specializations Crop Science; Organic Agriculture and Crop Science; Double-degree in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems).

A Bachelor of Science degree in Biology containing a relevant topic profile in relevance to the specializations in Animal Science or Crop Science, as to Organic Agriculture and relevant Double Degree programmes.

The following other degrees can provide admission to the Master's degree programme in Agrobiology:

Another Bachelor of Science degree with subject components in Agrobiology equaling 60 ECTS, as well as basic subject components in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cytology, Zoology, Botany, Mathematics, Statistics and Probability Theory.

A professional bachelor degree with subject components equaling 60 ECTS hereof 40 ECTS in the relevant specialisation (respectively crop science and animal science) as well as subject components in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cytology, Physiology, Mathematics, Probability Theory, Statistics and Philosophy of Science can provide admission to the Master's degree programme.

Other qualifications can provide admission to the Master's degree programme, provided the university assesses that their level, extent and content correspond to the degrees mentioned above.

Upon admission further requirements regarding composition of the degree programme may be stipulated.

Language Requirements

Since English is the language of instruction in all subjects, all applicants are required to provide evidence of their English language proficiency.

Students with a Bachelor's degree programme in Agrobiology at Aarhus University have the right to be admitted to the Master's degree programme in Agrobiology on the condition that application is made with a view to continuing directly from the Bachelor's degree programme to the Master's degree programme. The legal right of admission requires receipt of the application by Aarhus University within the appropriate period of time. Read more about legal right of admission.

Selection criteria

As the Master’s programme only admits a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme.

Allocation of student places is based on an overall assessment. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assess applicants on the basis of the following criteria:

Please note that grades obtained after the time of application cannot be included in the assessment of grade level.

The admissions committee assess each applicant on the basis of the information provided in diplomas, transcripts, and course descriptions.

Programme structure

Academic regulations

In the academic regulations for the programme, you can read more about the content of the individual subjects, how the programme is structured, and the demands that will be made of you as a student. You can also read about the types of exams and the exam requirements.

Specialisation tracks

On the Master's degree programme in Agrobiology you will have to choose one of the following specialisation tracks:

Animal Science

Students following Animal Science will specialise within topics such as animal breeding, applied behavioural biology, animal diseases or food science. You will obtain basic insight into the basis for an animal-based food production. On completion of the degree programme you will be able to assess the energy and nutrient requirements of livestock for growth purposes, milk production and reproduction and assess the interaction between management, production, health and animal welfare in typical livestock production systems.The specialisation is targeted at careers in which knowledge of primary animal production plays a central role (for example as production advisors, teachers in agricultural colleges or in jobs in public administration or research).

Crop Nutrition and Health

If choosing Crop Nutrition and Health, you will specialise within topics such as foods, feed and bioenergy, cropping systems and plant biotechnology. The goal of this specialisation track is to give students a basic insight into the elements of plant growth that are common for all crops. The degree programme is aimed at careers in which knowledge about primary plant production is a prerequisite, for example as production advisors, in commercial plant breeding, as teachers at agricultural and technical colleges and in research, but the line will also form a good basis for jobs in public administration where expertise in plant production will be an advantage in, for example, local administration and governmental organisations.

Organic Agriculture and Animal Science/Crop Science

This specialisation track is divided into two: Animal Science or Crop Science. The approach is characterised by a high degree of interdisciplinarity with emphasis on project work and on contact to farms and research.Graduating from this specialisation track can lead to employment opportunities in areas supporting the development of organic farming and food production. This includes advisory work, teaching, research and management.

Please notice: You can also choose this specialisation as a double degree programme. Find more information about this in the following element.

Study programme diagram

Below you can see the structure of the programme - please notice that there is a study programme diagram for each of the specialisation tracks.

Double degree programme in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems

"I have really enjoyed the programme(….). I think Aarhus and Denmark are fantastic so I hope that I can find a job or a PhD position here in Denmark - preferably in the area of organics and animals, especially organic piglets" - Julia Gajo, the first student at Aarhus University to complete a double degree in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (EUR-Organic). Read more about Julia.

Five leading European universities in the field of agriculture and life sciences have developed the MSc programme in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (EUR-Organic).

The EUR-Organic double degree programme in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems offers a comprehensive and integrative education in all areas of organic farming, including the processing and commercialisation of organic food. The core of EUR-Organic comprises areas of specialisation that enable the students to profit from the particular and complementary strengths in teaching and research of the partner universities.

In offering the programme jointly, the partner universities can offer a wide range of elective and compulsory modules on organic agriculture and food systems and create added value for students in teaching and research, for example in the wide range of topics for the Master’s thesis. Students are challenged by different thematic approaches throughout the course of their studies: while the University of Hohenheim (Germany) focuses primarily on the food chain, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Austria) emphasises the system approach of organic farming. Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland) offers a specialised study profile on organic food processing and marketing; while ISARA-Lyon (France) specialises in agroecology. At Aarhus University (Denmark), EUR-Organic is a distinct line under the MSc in Agrobiology, where students can focus on either animal health and welfare or plant nutrition and health.

In order to benefit from this complementary expertise and to get the most out of the programme, it is required that students spend one year at their chosen home university and one year at their chosen host university.

Detailed information about the programme is available online at the EUR-organic homepage, including information about the specialisations offered by the partner universities and the corresponding semester packages. This information is essential to registration by students for courses at both their home and their chosen host university.

Study at two different partner universities

All students will study at two different EUR-Organic partner universities. The university at which the student is accepted in the first year of the EUROrganic is referred to as the home university; the university chosen as second university is referred to as the host university.

You are allowed to choose the University of Hohenheim, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Vienna, Austria) or Aarhus University as your home university, but you may choose between all five institutions as host university. You can apply for an Erasmus+ scholarship for the second year. Please be aware that ISARA-Lyon is charging a tuition fee of 3000 € per year. This means that you must pay 3000 € to ISARA, if you choose this university as your host university for the second year. In addition, according to Erasmus+ regulations it is not possible to apply for an Erasmus+ scholarship when having to pay tuition fee at a partner university.

Work on the student thesis is assigned to the host university, though the thesis may be jointly supervised.

An ideal study environment

Denmark is a world leader in organic food production, which provides the ideal setting for specialising in this field. The Danish government was one of the first to prioritise organic production, and an increasingly high percentage of food produced in Denmark today is organic. This programme gives students an international profile, network and perspective. Students will be exposed to differing parameters in different countries and agriculture systems around the world, and they will learn from their peers’ different ways of approaching a problem – a perfect preparation for a future career in an increasingly globalised industry.

Career profile

Graduates can choose from a wide range of careers in supporting organic farming development. Recent graduates have worked in research, with authorities and advisory services in primary production, and even in teaching.

Admission and application

To apply for the European MSc Double Degree Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (EUR-Organic), please fill in the application form and send it with the required documentation to the address below.

From summer intake 2019 the Master’s degree programme only admits a limited number of students each year. This means that meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme. Allocation of student places is based on an overall assessment.

Admission requirements

Admission requires successful completion of a relevant and recognized university degree equivalent to a Danish Bachelor’s degree in level and length (180 ECTS). A relevant Bachelor’s degree will be within within the field of life science such as plant, animal, or veterinary science.

English language skills equivalent to an 'English B level' in Denmark are required and can be documented as follows:

Required minimum EILTS score is 6.5

Required minimum TOEFL Scores are: 577 Points in the paper-based test or 233 Points in the computer-based test or 90 Points in the internet-based test

Cambridge ESOL examinationsEnglish B – Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or First Certificate with grade A as a minimum. Applicants must upload their Confirmation of Entry stating candidate ID number and candidate secret number, which are not stated on the test result itself.

CEFR validated English language course EnglishB – C1 level

Applicants exempt from submitting an English test are:

”Native speakers” with an English language qualifying exam (including applicants with a qualifying examination from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Scotland, or Ireland). Please note that applicants with a qualifying examination from all other countries (including African and Asian countries, where the exam has been taught in English) must submit a test.

Applicants with an English language Bachelor’s or a Master's degree from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Scotland or Ireland. The applicant must document that the programme was taught in English.

Application deadline

Application deadline for non-EU students: 15 March Application deadline for EU-students: 1 June

Legal right of admissionStudents with a Bachelor's degree programme in Agrobiology at Aarhus University have the right to be admitted to the Master's degree programme in Agrobiology on the condition that application is made with a view to continuing directly from the Bachelor's degree programme to the Master's degree programme. The legal right of admission requires receipt of the application by Aarhus University within the appropriate period of time. Read more about legal right of admission.

Selection criteriaAs the Master’s programme only admits a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme.

Allocation of student places is based on an overall assessment. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assess applicants on the basis of the following criteria:

Please note that grades obtained after the time of application cannot be included in the assessment of overall grade level.

The admissions committee assess each applicant on the basis of the information provided in diplomas, transcripts, and course descriptions.

Checklist

The following documents must be submitted with the online application form. Applications will not be reviewed until all documents have been received. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that all documents are submitted on time.

Completed and signed application form

Diplomas, along with an English translation, showing examination subjects and results for each examination (a diploma without specific examination results is not sufficient). These documents must be officially certified by your home institution.

Transcript of records, along with an English translation, showing examination subjects and results for each examination (if you have not yet received your final diploma). These documents must be officially certified by your home institution.

Official descriptions of relevant courses to be completed after the application deadline.

An official description of the marking scale used at your home university.

Documentation of your language qualifications.

Documentation of your citizenship (e.g. copy of passport).

A copy of your current residence permit in Denmark (if applicable).

Curriculum Vitae

Motivation letter

Pre-assessment you may have received from Aarhus University (if applicable)

Course descriptions in English briefly describing the contents of your specific BA courses or other information that will contribute to describing the contents of your Bachelor's degree programme.

Submit your applicationPlease send this form and all accompanying documents by mail or by e-mail to:

Student life

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Meet our graduates

CARMINA FALCATO CABRAL, MSc in Agrobiology, PhD student at the Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University

On a normal day, you can find me either working in a flow bench inside the lab, under strict sterile conditions, or in the middle of a field somewhere in Denmark sampling roots and soil for my PhD project. That kind of flexibility and know how in a myriad of subjects was something I achieved during my MSc in Agrobiology, where besides the mandatory ground courses on crop nutrition, pest management and plant health, I then had the freedom to choose what to focus on and build up my multidisciplinary expertise.

I really enjoyed the sturdiness of the teaching programme’s ground subjects, such as crop physiology and nutrition, where competences were built from the base with top of the line, actual real world research examples. The discussion based teaching approach of most of the courses was something that I really appreciated, where problems were debated, not only between peers, but also among teachers, giving rise to critical thinking and elevating the scientific level of each course. These discussions were one of the most rewarding points of the programme, and were only enriched by how varied and international the MSc programme is, as the multitude of different cultures allowed an amazing number of approaches to the same problem to come up and to be thoroughly debated.

Nowadays, I strongly rely on the competences and critical thinking that were encouraged during my MSc and apply them in my daily routines, either when planning or executing experiments, supervising and teaching students, or finding answers to problems posed by farmers or peers.

Career

Job functions for grads

This data is derived from AU's 2013/2014 employment survey. This data should not be considered a completely accurate representation of the labour market and job functions for all graduates of the individual degree programmes. It exclusively represent the responses submitted to the survey in the years in question.